Hello,
I have been a "vanilla" mac user for the last three years. I just use it to do some writing, music, do some basic photo and video editing. My kids as they are growing up, use it to do their term papers. However, a few things have happened in the last 9 months and I would like some advice on how to proceed.
My System
=======
iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.8 GHz, L2 Cache 6MB, RAM 2 GB.
OS: Mac OSX 10.6.8, Kernel Darwin 10.8.0
My problems with the iMac
=================
Was foolish enough to forget about getting apple care
(1) The DVD writer does not work anymore. Now it won't even read any disc. Periodically, it eats the CD and arbitrarily releases it. (Yes I read the forums and tried every trick the users recommended and to no avail). I want replace the DVD writer. I know it's expensive but it's cheaper than getting a new iMac. Any recommendation as to what's the best type of place to take it to and get this done is appreciated.
(3) I have made back up of the user accounts (not using time Machine) on an external drive. The external drive is a 500GB by Hitachi. I used the software that came with it (for the mac of course), and created backups of all the accounts. I want to be able to do a reset on the iMac similar to the iPad or the iPod where they do a reset to factory settings. My questions are:
(a) Is there a way to do a "restore factory defaults" on my iMac?
(b) If there isn't, then what is the best way to do this?
(c) I have upgraded Leopard to snow Leopard (yes paid for the upgrade).
If I were to do a reset, will I lose the upgrade? I mean how would I upgrade it to Snow Leopard (since I did the upgrade online and not have CD's for that..Gosh I sound old school).
This is my first post on here and I hope I have not broken any rules. I apologize if the questions are too simplistic in nature. I hope to get some good guidance from y'all.
-J' Meister!
I have been a "vanilla" mac user for the last three years. I just use it to do some writing, music, do some basic photo and video editing. My kids as they are growing up, use it to do their term papers. However, a few things have happened in the last 9 months and I would like some advice on how to proceed.
My System
=======
iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.8 GHz, L2 Cache 6MB, RAM 2 GB.
OS: Mac OSX 10.6.8, Kernel Darwin 10.8.0
My problems with the iMac
=================
Was foolish enough to forget about getting apple care
(1) The DVD writer does not work anymore. Now it won't even read any disc. Periodically, it eats the CD and arbitrarily releases it. (Yes I read the forums and tried every trick the users recommended and to no avail). I want replace the DVD writer. I know it's expensive but it's cheaper than getting a new iMac. Any recommendation as to what's the best type of place to take it to and get this done is appreciated.
(3) I have made back up of the user accounts (not using time Machine) on an external drive. The external drive is a 500GB by Hitachi. I used the software that came with it (for the mac of course), and created backups of all the accounts. I want to be able to do a reset on the iMac similar to the iPad or the iPod where they do a reset to factory settings. My questions are:
(a) Is there a way to do a "restore factory defaults" on my iMac?
(b) If there isn't, then what is the best way to do this?
(c) I have upgraded Leopard to snow Leopard (yes paid for the upgrade).
If I were to do a reset, will I lose the upgrade? I mean how would I upgrade it to Snow Leopard (since I did the upgrade online and not have CD's for that..Gosh I sound old school).
This is my first post on here and I hope I have not broken any rules. I apologize if the questions are too simplistic in nature. I hope to get some good guidance from y'all.
-J' Meister!
